Time Played: 24 hours Reviewed on: PC Available on: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
I arrive in a remote village, my body beset by numbing cold. To my relief, the villagers welcome me, and, after I help them with a pesky demon problem, we share a few drinks. It’s a relieving, feel-good moment, which would be more than enough in a traditional fantasy story. However, Diablo 4 is its own beast.
I pass out. It turns out that the village is full of cultists, and I was drugged at the drinks celebrating my heroism. A priest, whom I’d written off as a panic-stricken civilian, comes to my aid, and the two of us fight our way out of the village – make quick work of the duplicitous locals with whom I’d broken bread not moments ago.
I survive, but there's a grim feeling in the pit of my stomach that I just can’t shake. Threats are everywhere in the world of Diablo 4, and safety is fleeting. This pervasive sense of peril adds a sense of sharpness to the decisions you make – a sense boldly reinforced by the game’s commitment to an eerie and repressive gothic art style.
Diablo 4 opens up like a flower, a fractal of decision points and satisfying choices that stem from humble origins. At the very beginning, Blizzard’s ambitious and latest attack on the internet's best RPG lists asks you to pick a class. This is everything: instrumental in deciding what tools you’ll have for interacting with the game’s meticulously crafted systems. Even at this early stage, you are given access to a decision tree with meaningfully divergent paths.
Each class is lovingly curated. The Rogue is agile, subtle, and cerebral while the Necromancer is wreathed in blood, bone, and darkness. Crucially, however, the classes in Diablo 4 are not ends in and of themselves but are means to an end.
Diablo 4 opens up like a flower, a fractal of decision points and satisfying choices that stem from humble origins
Over the first few hours, you’ll go up a handful levels, each one prompting you to commit skill points to your character's tree and abilities. On top of that, you’ll have begun to build a library of items and equipment, which, like skills, necessitate meaningful decisions from you, the player. They start out as small quibbles over stats but quickly snowball into captivating mind traps concerned with powerful game-altering abilities. Though these choices are reversible, they set you down a path and, before long, you’re playing a character that feels bespoke; organically tailored to your own whims and fancies.
The war in heaven
(Image credit: Blizzard)
Diablo 4’s commitment to the gothic is far more than purely superficial. The game’s plot, art style, and mechanics all skillfully converge on a single point: the conflict between dark and light, and the poor humans who get caught up in the cosmic mess. Blizzard’s latest isn’t a power trip. Rather, you step into the role of a character who is, despite their role as protagonist, undeniably limited and mortal.
The game’s imposing art style bores into your skull with the inexorable regularity of a jackhammer. Diablo 4 kicked down the door to my imagination and now lives there rent-free, complete with the obligatory contingent of skulls and gargoyles. The open world of Sanctuary is richly detailed and foreboding – a fact that the game’s consistent stylistic refrains don’t let you forget.
The game’s imposing art style bores into your skull with the inexorable regularity of a jackhammer
This sense of fearful exploration melds seamlessly with the game’s mechanics, doubling down on this theme of mortal limitations. For every skill you pick, there are, perhaps, a dozen that you have had to pass up. It may feel ruthless, but it also serves to give your choices meaning. Like the other brief mortals of Sanctuary, in Diablo 4 we must play the cards we are dealt as best we can.
Apocalypse world
(Image credit: Blizzard)
Perhaps Diablo 4’s most adventurous quality is the move towards an open world in the 'modern' sense. What could have been a featureless, bland expanse is, instead, a delight. Brimming with intrigue and danger, the open world of Sanctuary fits the Diablo formula like a glove, providing the space in which the game’s macabre aesthetic and bold mechanical design cohere beautifully.
Diablo 4’s environmental design does a lot of heavy lifting, too. Not only is it packed with nuggets of emergent storytelling courtesy of dungeons and events galore, but the locales of Diablo 4 have a palpably organic quality, which goes a long way toward making the world feel tangible and somewhat grounded.
Diablo 4’s environmental design does a lot of heavy lifting
Environments shift as you move from them. Descend a mountain range, and snow will dissolve into slush, and then mud. Things are rarely pleasant to look at in Diablo 4, but they are always striking and inviting, coaxing you into the gameworld with a gentle yet insistent boldness.
Dark fantasy horror and occult mystery shine through these environments, creating set pieces and visuals that are, at once, thrilling and disquieting – hallmarks of the Gothic tradition done right.
This, when coupled with the game’s ruthless yet enrapturing layers of character customization and decision points makes for an experience that wholeheartedly captures the promise of Diablo 4. This may be a game about killing monsters and getting loot, but it is also so much more.
Diablo 4 releases on June 6 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. We reviewed this on PC with a code provided by the publisher.
Once upon a time, the Dell XPS Desktop line had something to offer everyone, from the budget-minded to those who have the money to splurge. Not to be melodramatic or anything, but those days, just like the Dell XPS 2-in-1 we once knew and loved, are gone.
That’s what it looks like, at least.
It looks like Dell is making some massive changes to its lineups. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 has undergone a massive overhaul last year, abandoning its gorgeous chassis for a flappy keyboard folio. And now, it looks like it’s abandoned the mid-range models of one of the best desktop PCs in existence in favor of the premium and therefore more powerful configurations.
As I’m writing this review, I’m looking at a hefty $2,809.99 (about £2,230, AU$4,220) starting configuration, which is A LOT for a base model. And, Dell hasn’t mentioned anything about cheaper models to follow later.
I’m not actually sure what Dell’s next move is. It’s possible that it is getting ready to roll out a budget desktop PC line – our Components Editor got excited at the prospect of a desktop version of the purple-and-teal Dell G15. And it’s entirely possible that Dell is simply done making cheap desktop computers. We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.
Whatever Dell’s intentions are, it’s hard to deny its consistency when it comes to releasing impressive builds. The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is a powerful piece of kit, one that isn’t just for work but lends itself well to gaming. And not just gaming either but gaming on Ultra with DLSS and ray tracing turned on, making it one of the best gaming PCs in 2023.
It’s an absolute powerhouse. The question though is it worth the splurge especially when the chassis itself looks design was more of an afterthought rather than an important consideration. That’s what I’m here to find out.
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Price & availability
How much does it cost? From $2,809.99 (about £2,230, AU$4,220)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US (UK and Australia have different configurations and prices)
I would love nothing more than to give the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) a five-star rating, but holy guacamole! That price tag will make your eyes water and your bank account implode into nothing. The base configuration alone will set you back a hefty $2,809.99 (about £2,230, AU$4,220), which is a hard and massive pill to swallow for most people, even business.
Go for our review configuration, which is available in both the US and the UK, and babe, you might as well sell your house. That $3,209.99 / £2,859 (about AU$4,925) will make you want to declare bankruptcy.
Bear in mind that the UK and Australia have their own configurations, with the UK offering a much cheaper if less powerful base model and Australia not having any of the RTX 4000-powered options on hand, which means they’re slightly more affordable.
Price score: 2.5 / 5
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Specs
The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) comes in four configurations, our review model being the mid-range option with its Intel Core i7-13700K chip, RTX 4080 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD storage capacity. This configuration is available in the US and the UK.
The strange thing about the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is Dell seemed to have forgotten to synchronize its configurations across regions and just went with it. So what we’re dealing with is a hodge-podge of models that aren’t available in all regions.
We’ve listed the US configurations below, but if you’re in the UK and Australia, know that you likely have a different base model and top configuration available to you.
In the UK, all of the specs of the base model are the same with the US base model except for graphics: it comes with an Intel UHD Graphics 770, which does make it less powerful but has the advantage of being much more affordable.
Sadly for Australian customers, the RTX 4000 series cards are not available in any of the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) at the time of writing. And you also only have the budget and mid-range RTX 3000 on hand.
Specs score: 3.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Design
Plain chassis
Lots of ports on hand
Great ventilation
The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is neither small nor overly large, and it fits nicely just about anywhere – on top of your desk, under it. Use your leg power when lifting it, however, as it is pretty heavy, what with that massive GPU inside.
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
To ensure that those powerful internals are staying cool under pressure, by the way, Dell put vents in front, on one of the side panels, and in the back. And I’m pretty sure they help with heat dissipation, which is why not only is this PC cool and quiet even when handling intensive tasks, but it also delivers top-notch untethered performance.
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
It has inherited that minimalist Dell XPS Desktop design from its predecessors, but I honestly question the design choice here. That design worked in the past few years, especially in the white colorway. But not only is that color option gone, but the look itself is becoming a little dated.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: we’re in our maximalist era, and we want fun design and funky colors. And not updating this look – not to mention, making it available in lifeless platinum and murky graphite – was a huge oversight. Hopefully, Dell makes up for it on future models.
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Luckily, there are a whole lot of ports to keep you (and your peripherals) connected. There are two USB ports, one USB-C, and one 3.5mm jack that are easily accessible in the front, of course. But a nice bonus is the SD card reader right above all of them. Since this desktop PC is ideal for content creation, that reader will definitely come in handy. Meanwhile, the back has a whole lot more: four USBs, one USB-C, an Ethernet, three DisplayPorts, a set of six audio inputs, and an HDMI port. If you’re a multiple display kind of gamer or creator, you won’t run out of ports to connect those monitors.
Design score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Performance
Breathtaking gaming performance
Excellent for content creation
Keeps it chill and quiet under pressure
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Benchmarks
Here's how the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) performed in our suite of benchmark tests: 3DMark: Fire Strike: 48,208; Time Spy: 25,285; Fire Strike Ultra: 17,261 GeekBench 6: 2,676 (single-core); 16,957 (multi-core)
Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition (1080p, Ultra): 147 fps; (1080p, High): 153 fps Red Dead Redemption 2 (1080p, Ultra): 77 fps; (1080p, Medium): 162 fps Dirt 5 (1080p): 245.3 fps; (4K): 129.8 fps 25GB File Copy: 2,047 MBps Handbrake 1.6: 2m 58s CrossMark: Overall: 2,124 Productivity: 1,942 Creativity: 2,480 Responsiveness: 1,747
Historically, the higher configurations of the Dell XPS Desktop have always made for great gaming PCs, but the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is something else entirely. This kept up with the likes of the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i and the Alienware Aurora R15, both of which are made specifically for gaming.
Running it through our suite of benchmarks, it has managed to produce results in DiRT 5, Grand Theft Auto V, and Metro Exodus at 1080p that’s comparable to the more powerful RTX 4090-powered Alienware Aurora R15. Although it is worth noting that the R15 leaves it in the dust in 4K gaming performance. Meanwhile, it comes neck and neck with the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i in both 1080p and 4K gaming.
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
In the real world, it handles the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. During my testing, it ran Hogwarts Legacy at 4K 60fps on high settings and with ray tracing and DLSS on like butter, without signs of stuttering. Same with Cyberpunk 2077 on ultra also with ray tracing and DLSS on even during heavy combat. What’s even more astounding here is that not once did it get loud or hot.
Editing and batch exporting high-res images in Lightroom on this computer is a breeze. As is opening 20 or more Google Chrome tabs at the same time, a few of which are running streaming services. There were no signs of slowdowns, with each succeeding tab opening a page quickly. What’s more, it even zipped past both gaming PCs in our drive speed test, scoring a whopping 2,047MBps next to the Tower 7i’s 1,152MBps and the R15’s 1,340MBps.
If you are looking for brute strength and sheer power for both gaming and creative work, this one has proven itself to be an absolute ace.
Performance score:5 / 5
Should you buy the Dell XPS Desktop (8960)?
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Buy it if...
You need an extra strength PC If you want brute strength, you’re definitely getting a herculean PC here that can handle demanding games like Hogwarts Legacy and Cyberpunk 2077 on Ultra settings and the heaviest content creation workloads.
You’re not economizing like the rest of us With sheer power comes an empty bank account, but hey, if you want to blow some of your savings – they’re just sitting there anyway – or you have more money than you can spend, go get it then.
You like that nondescript aesthetic That somber Dell XPS Desktop look may look great on a white finish, but Dells now only have a platinum and a graphite finish. If you like that though because you’re not into showy devices, this is perfect for you.
Don't buy it if...
You don’t really need all that power If you don’t need a premium discrete GPU – heck, I’ve been gaming and editing my photos on a 3060 PC, and I’m getting on just fine – then there are a lot of better value options out there. Shop around first before you decide to commit to this.
Dell XPS Desktop (8960): Also consider
If the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) has you considering other options, here are two more gaming PCs to consider...
How I tested the Dell XPS Desktop (8960)
Tested for five days, using it as my work and gaming PC
Besides putting it through real-world applications, our benchmarks team also ran it through our suite of benchmarks
Used games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Google Chrome, Lightroom and Photoshop on top of our usual benchmark apps
Whenever I’m testing a PC or a laptop, I typically use it for several days to a few weeks and utilizing it as my main work and gaming computer during that time. That’s exactly what I did with the Dell XPS Desktop (8960), though I only used it for five days this time around.
Besides stress-testing it by putting it through real-world scenarios like playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy on Ultra with DLSS and ray tracing on, I also used it for batch editing high-res images in Lightroom and Photoshop. Of course, our benchmarks team also ran it through our suite of benchmarks.
With years of extensive experience testing and reviewing computers, and as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar, I have all the right tools to determine whether or not a PC like this one is worth your time and money. You can trust me to put them through their paces and make the right recommendations.
Time played: 12 hours Platform reviewed: PC Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Back when I first loaded up Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine for the Xbox 360, life was good. It was the heady days of 2011, and I was a teenager - a typically broke teenager, obsessed with the dense canon of the Warhammer universe but lacking the funds to purchase all those tiny, ludicrously expensive figurines and the paints with which to adorn them. A used copy of Space Marine, though? That I could afford, and I bloody loved it.
At the time, I thought it was what I'd been looking for: a crunching, brutal simulation of life as one of the God-Emperor's titular supersoldiers. I cleaved my way through swaths of Orks, chainsword buzzing and boltgun cracking. I was a force of nature, a thousand-kilo unstoppable fridge on legs. The ground shook as I marched, slow but inorexable, towards increasingly gory victories. And at the time, I was wrong.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is what I was really looking for. Did you know that Space Marines can fight for five days straight without rest, jump four meters straight up into the air, and run as fast as 90 kilometers per hour? I did, and apparently Auroch Digital (the developers of Boltgun) did too; here, you're not a plodding tank, you're an elephant with rockets strapped to it.
Okay, boomer
Boltgun is what we affectionately refer to as a 'boomer shooter' - a first-person shooter in the vein of 90s classics such as Doom and Quake, and a genre that has enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years since the latter series' 2016 reboot.
The enormous popularity of Doom 2016 and its speed-metal sequel Doom Eternal spawns plenty of riffs (no pun intended) on the theme. Many of these, like the excellent Dusk and early-access gem Ultrakill, have eschewed modern graphics in favor of a return to the low-poly glory of their forebears, and it is this path that Boltgun treads.
In the style of the very first Doom, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun utilizes both 3D and 2D art styles; blocky, three-dimensional polygons used to build the gameworld, and flat pixel-art sprites for the (extremely numerous) enemies that occupy it. It's a timeless style, and enemy models have the exact right amount of detail to make them visually distinct without compromising the retro aesthetic.
(Image credit: Auroch Digital)
The environments are similarly excellent. Starting out in the snow-blasted outskirts of a derelict industrial fortress, Boltgun mixes things up every time I started to worry my surroundings might be getting stale: military settlements give way to demon-infested catacombs, gothic cathedrals, and cavernous forges dripping with molten metal. Each chapter of the campaign is broken into pleasingly bite-sized levels that can be completed in under an hour apiece.
Sound design wasn’t skimped on, either. The soundtrack provides exactly the sort of pulse-pounding combination of industrial metal and grand orchestral overtures that I’d expect from a Warhammer 40,000 game, and the sound effects - especially those of the guns - are fantastic. I particularly appreciate how much care was taken to differentiate the sounds of different spent bullet casings and shotgun shells hitting the floor; imperceptible in the heat of battle, but perfectly punctuating the final moments of a lengthy gunfight.
Fighting the hordes of Chaos
There’s not much going on in the way of story here, but that’s okay: Boltgun understands that nobody is really here to watch lengthy cutscenes, they’re here to blast demons. You occupy the power-armored boots of the nameless Sternguard Veteran, summoned by an Imperial Inquisitor to investigate suspicious (read: demonic) goings-on down on the surface of a Forge World.
You get an intro cinematic, lovingly rendered in old-school pixel-art stills, and you get occasional expository dialogue from your sole companion - a hovering servo-skull, which for the uninitiated is a human skull turned into a helper drone - but for the most part, the plot takes a back seat to the action, which is fine. There are actually a few interesting little narrative beats later on (which, incredibly, relate in part to the events of 2011’s Space Marine), but I won’t spoil anything here.
(Image credit: Auroch Digital)
Anyone who has played even a single boomer shooter will probably feel right at home here. There’s a sort of beautiful simplicity to Boltgun; you have your guns, your chainsword, and your grenades, and that’s about it. There is a sort of melee charge ability with a cooldown that can apparently stun some enemies, but I found it a bit too unreliable in the heat of combat.
I turned on sprint toggle in the settings menu after playing the first chapter with my finger glued to the shift key, since many of Boltgun’s battles encourage you to keep moving as much as possible. You really are incredibly fast and agile, deepening the power fantasy as you weave between enemy projectiles to deliver a crunching chainsword finisher. Obstacles to getting into this ‘flow state’ are minimized; fall to your death and the game resets you almost instantly.
For the Emperor of Mankind
There’s no minimap (or any other kind of map) but only very rarely did I get lost. Levels are mostly linear, with some of the expected back-tracking and key-hunting here and there but nothing that takes you out of the action for too long. Quite frequently, you’ll find yourself locked in a large room with waves of enemies to clear out before you can progress, but the designs of these arenas are strong and varied enough that this never feels like a chore.
The overall level of challenge feels exceptionally well-balanced. I played on Hard and didn’t die once during the first chapter, but later levels ramped up the difficulty to a point that felt punishing but not unfair. There are a handful of mildly annoying enemies - the flying Screamers can be a pain to deal with - but for the most part, I found Boltgun to provide a sound degree of difficulty throughout.
(Image credit: Auroch Digital)
In a rather amusing juxtaposition to the Imperium’s cold in-lore authoritarianism, there are some solid accessibility features here, including an invincibility mode that allows you to experience the whole game in true power fantasy mode. You can also adjust the ‘retro’ settings to increase pixelation or reduce draw distances, in case you’re roleplaying as a person who lives in 1995.
Naturally, as a classic shooter, Boltgun’s levels are littered with ammo and health pickups, which are frequently placed for player direction. You’ve got armor too, stylized here as holy ‘Contempt’ for the forces of evil. There are also secret items hidden around each level, some of which grant you temporary bonuses like unlimited ammo or boosted damage, which helps to encourage extra exploration.
Guns, guns, guns
Speaking of ammo, let’s talk about Boltgun’s boltgun. The first weapon you acquire, this iconic Space Marine sidearm is simultaneously the game’s biggest strength and its greatest weakness.
You see, it’s absolutely awesome. This thing feels so damn good to fire, like a blessed full-auto lovechild of Bulletstorm’s Peacemaker and Doom Eternal’s Heavy Cannon. Rank-and-file enemies explode into showers of pixelated gore with just a few shots, with stellar sound design and physical feedback.
Why is this a problem? Because it’s the first gun you get, and I didn’t feel enthused to use most of the ones that came after. Boltgun has a total of eight weapons, and only one - the highly enjoyable Vengeance Launcher - really reached the same level of enjoyment as the boltgun. I rarely felt compelled to use anything else. In fact, I actively avoided the Heavy Bolter due to its movement speed cap, which felt counterproductive to the fun I was having zooming around at speeds approaching Mach 1.
(Image credit: Auroch Digital)
The problem this creates is that while the Sternguard Veteran’s signature firearm is great fun to use, the game employs the tabletop game’s ‘weapon strength vs enemy toughness’, whereby a weapon will deal reduced damage to an enemy with a higher toughness stat. This system isn’t explained particularly well (there’s very little handholding here) but it’s fairly intuitive provide you keep an eye on the numbers next to enemy health bars.
What this means in practice is that certain strong enemies are less affected by lower-strength guns; the 3-strength shotgun is fine for clearing out packs of lesser demons, but come up against a 5-toughness Chaos Terminator and you’re going to want something like the more powerful plasma gun. The boltgun itself is 4-strength, though - not even the lowest-strength gun in the game - which doesn’t really encourage you to switch off it unless you absolutely have to.
The annihilation of your enemies
(Image credit: Auroch Digital)
Really, though, this feels like a bit of a minor gripe for me when the game is just this fun to play. Perhaps other players will love the Heavy Bolter’s slow but relentless stream of leaden death, or find that the charge dash mechanic is actually great for them.
There’s enough here for every shooter fan to enjoy, and the simple fact is that I had a ton of fun playing Boltgun. It delivers exactly what it promises: high-octane shooter action that draws on some of the best its setting has to offer.
Existing fans of the 40,000 universe are certain to appreciate the dedicated recreation of an Imperium Forge World and all the horrible, demonic, no-good inhabitants you’ll gun down while exploring it, but part of Boltgun’s beauty is that you don’t need to know a damn thing about the Warhammer canon to enjoy it. You’re a supersoldier in power armor and your job is to kill demons. What are you waiting for? Hop to it.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun was reviewed on PC with a code supplied by the publisher.
The Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed clearly has some massive shoes to fill. Its predecessor, the Logitech Pro X Lightspeed, may be almost three years old at this point, but Logitech has done such a fantastic job with it, it’s kind of become iconic with its gorgeous luxe gaming aesthetic and its impressive sound making it very hard to top.
But Logitech is nothing but inventive when it comes to its flagship products – and inventive is exactly what you need to be when you’re hoping to improve upon an already amazing release. It rolled up its sleeves not just to refine that already stunning design on the Logitech Pro X Lightspeed, but also to improve the innards – or more specifically, the diaphragm inside. You know, that part of a speaker driver that’s responsible for turning an electrical audio signal into airwaves to create sound.
Yeah, that’s right. To usurp one of the best gaming headsets of the last 10 years, Logitech went back to its labs and created its one 90% graphene diaphragm-fitted drivers all for the sake of giving you an even better gaming experience. And its efforts were not in vain.
Still, there’s an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed: is this gaming headset worth all the effort?
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Before I do, let’s talk about design. The Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed, as I mentioned, boasts some external improvements over its predecessor. First of all, it’s noticeably lighter – 40g less, to be specific – and more compact, which makes it a lot more travel-friendly. It’s a nice perk as I adore its overall look that blends elegance with that pro-gamer style and want to take it with me on my travels as a pair of headphones.
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
There’s another addition here that lends itself well to that, the rotating hinge on each yoke, which lets you rotate the ear cups to flatten the headset for stowing (although, just like its predecessor, it also comes with a fancy travel pouch). That’s not to mention it allows the headset to conform to different head shapes and improve its overall comfort.
Adding to its versatility and travel-friendliness are the detachable 6mm cardioid mic and the three different connectivity options. You’re getting Logitech’s LIGHTSPEED wireless that has a maximum range of 30m as well as Bluetooth and 3.5mm wired connectivity.
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Back to comfort, both its earcups and headband are still swathed in soft-to-touch leatherette. But to give users another option, Logitech throws in a pair of velour earpads that you can easily switch in for the leatherettes especially if you tend to run hot and sweat a lot when gaming.
Because it is lighter, it does feel better on my head than my Pro X Lightspeed. However, I have tested even lighter gaming headsets in the past, and with Logitech really touting how light its graphene drivers are, I’m surprised it couldn’t design the actual headset to be a lot lighter. As far as the clamping force, there’s just enough for a secure but not too tight fit.
Internally, there’s considerable refinements as well, primarily in the drivers inside the earcups. As I mentioned earlier, Logitech essentially designed its own Pro-G Graphene audio drivers, each of which house a diaphragm that is 90% graphene by weight. Now, I’m not going to get into the specifics of how it works exactly, but essentially this diaphragm is better than the mylar diaphragm that most gaming headsets use as it’s more rigid and lightweight, resulting in more accurate reproduction of sound waves. In addition, Logitech set the graphene diaphragm on a live edge suspension, which also minimizes distortion.
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
As a result, you should be getting more accurate and more detailed audio as well as a more immersive experience. And, in that, the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed succeeds.
The original Logitech Pro X Lightspeed was a pleasure to use but was far from neutral. Its bright frequency range with restrained mids and bass is a far cry from what its successor has become.
While on the warmer side, the highs on the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed are present with certain in-game elements sounding just as detailed as they would on brighter headphones. Even the twinkling sounds of revealed items in Hogwarts Legacy still sparkle with clarity though the audio overall sounds darker. Meanwhile, the mids are full without getting muddy. However, that changes when surround sound is on (more on that later). Finally, there’s a big low end that is quite present but well controlled. In Cyberpunk 2077, there was a lot of low end information from music to sound cues yet it never seemed to overpower the rest of the sound frequencies.
The soundstage is quite impressive. In stereo mode, the soundstage is already wide with excellent sound imaging. Also in Cyberpunk 2077, I can clearly hear elements off to the side even when there’s a lot of ambient noise – like when I’m walking into a bar where the music is blasting punctuated by the sounds of arcade machines, I can still distinctly recognize three or four different voices coming through the TVs and radios in the room. Better than that, I’m able to accurately place them.
I do have mixed feelings about the audio as soon as I turn on the DTS X Spatial Sound. Though that virtual surround sound makes everything much more immersive, especially compared to its predecessor, it doesn’t make the soundstage wider, just more three dimensional. It also greatly affects the frequency range. In particular, the mids, which are already prominent to begin with, tend to be even more pronounced so that while you’re still hearing all the other elements clearly, you’re hearing a lot more of the environmental sounds and score. It’s not too bad, but, after a while, you might get a slight headache.
The DTS X Spatial Sound does lend itself surprisingly well to music thanks to its Super Stereo mode. With both Rihanna’s Lift Me Up and Aoife O’Donovan’s Loretta, turning on that mode makes me feel like I’m in a concert hall watching a live performance, instead of at my desk playing something on Spotify.
Just be careful when using these headphones, however, as they have a lot of volume. I find that having the volume at 70 out of 100 is more than enough for immersion, and too much when the surround sound is on.
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
The mic has plenty of volume as well. Though it’s not the crispest sounding, losing some definition even to the original Logitech Pro X Lightspeed, it does come through loud and clear. It also does a good job of minimizing background noise as well as handling sibilance. As this is a Blue-enabled mic, just be careful when using all the processing available in the G Hub as the mic audio can quickly get distorted. If you decide to dive into the app and use Blue Voice, fully commit and really finetune all the settings.
Speaking of the G Hub app, there’s a lot of customizations on hand as well as game-specific presets. The Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed already sounds great without customizations, but just know that you do have things like a five-band EQ, all the surround sound settings, and game presets to play around with.
Rounding all that out is its decent battery life of up to 50 hours on a single charge. That’s not too bad, but there are certainly longer lasting headsets out there. If you play for eight hours a day, just make a habit out of charging at the end of every week.
Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $249 / €269 (about AU$375)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
At $249 / €269 (about AU$375), the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed is pricier than many gaming headsets on the market. It’s also pricier than the Logitech Pro X Lightspeed, which is kind of disappointing as I was hoping it would be around the same price.
However, with its new drivers, fantastic sound stage and imaging, and comfortable fit, not to mention all the features crammed into the app, it deserves to be in the conversation with the more premium headsets on that list, which means you’re really getting a great value here.
Value: 4 / 5
Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
Should you buy the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed?
Buy it if...
You want an immersive and very detailed gaming headset The Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed delivers a lot of detail, a wide soundstage, and very accurate sound imaging. It’s perfect for competitive gamers.
You enjoy listening to music as much as you do playing PC games The Super Stereo mode makes any song you play on Spotify or Apple Music sound like a live performance. Even the most intimate songs sound epic.
You want a high-quality headset without the steep price Due to its comfort, build quality, features, and audio quality, this seems like a premium headset with a premium price. However, that mid-range price makes it accessible to more people.
Don't buy it if...
You want a wider surround sound experience Toggling surround sound on means a much more immersive audio, but it also feels like there’s less headroom due to the mids being pronounced.
You’re scrimping right now It’s not super expensive, but it’s not a budget gaming headset either.
Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed: Also consider
How I tested the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed
Spent a couple of days testing it
Used it for gaming, streaming, and music listening
Tested it with a variety of games, songs, and movies
I used the Logitech Pro X 2 Lightspeed as my gaming headset for a couple of days, using it as my main headset for gaming, music listening, and making video calls at work.
Besides using it with games like Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy, I also used it to listen to songs like Rihanna’s Lift Me Up and Aoife O’Donovan’s Loretta.
I’ve been testing, reviewing, and using gaming headsets for years as a freelance tech journalist and now as one of the Computing editors at TechRadar. My years of experience along with my discerning audio tastes make me more than qualified to test and vet these devices for you.
The ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5 RAM kits might lack variety, but they sure make up for it in terms of performance and price, earning top marks from me pretty much across the board.
While it's too early to declare this the best RAM kit I've tested this year, it's damned close. And while the Kerberos TUF DDR5 module lacks the almost monolithic refinement of the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR, it's still an attractive addition to any PC case out there while giving you more than enough memory runway for serious, high-intensity gaming and pro-am content creation.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
In terms of performance, this is where the ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5 really shines. While normally I wouldn't compare two RAM kits running at different speeds, since you can get most RAM kits at comparable speeds.
However, I've made an exception in this case purely based on the value proposition of the ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5. At the price you'd pay for this 32GB RAM kit ($149.99 as reviewed, about £120/AU$225), you could get either the Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 kit mentioned above, or you could get the Fury Beast DDR5 32GB kit, though both of those kits are substantially slower than the Kerberos TUF RGB.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
A Note on Testing
Some motherboards aren't compatible with some modules under dual-channel configurations, while others will limit the speed of the DDR5 RAM when run in pairs, so needless to say it's hard to give quantifiable data to demonstrate the Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5's performance in a way that makes it comparable across different systems.
For this reason, we only benchmark a single DDR5 module to get comparable performance figures. This does mean that adding a second module will offer substantially better performance in real-world usage. We also only compare modules to other modules running at the same speed and memory profile (XMP/EXPO), unless we are comparing kits by price, which will be noted accordingly.
This is owing to the Kerberos TUF DDR5 being XMP overclocked and pushing 1.410V, which is right around as much voltage as you'll want to push without risking damaging the RAM, something that comparable kits at this speed will all encounter as well.
For this, however, you're able to get nearly 50% better PassMark memory performance than either the Dominator Platinum RGB or Fury Beast DDR5. You also get around 30% better read performance, about 26% better write performance, and roughly 23% better copy performance than either of the similarly priced RAM from Corsair and Kingston. You also get a roughly 15% lower latency as well.
All this comes at the cost of a higher total power used, but the Kerberos TUF DDR5 doesn't use any more power than the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 and it solidly outperforms it while costing less and looking better to boot.
The one thing those kits will have over the Kerberos TUF DDR5, however, is much wider compatibility with different manufacturer's motherboards. ProXMem modules are supported by a number of motherboards, but not nearly to the extent that Corsair's Dominator Platinum RGB or ADATA's XPG line. So, if you're looking at this RAM, do check to make sure it will run in your motherboard (you might need a BIOS update).
While the advantages of the ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5 will diminish when running against RAM kits of comparable speed, they will all cost substantially more to close the performance gap. And while not every motherboard is going to be able to run this kit as of this writing, those that can will absolutely let you get the most out of this kit. So if you are looking for a high performance RAM kit while being friggin' smart with your damn money, then there's nothing else to say other than to buy this RAM.
ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much does it cost? Starting at $119.99 (about £100 / AU$180)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US. Not available in the UK or Australia
Starting at $119.99 (about £100 / AU$180) for a 32GB DDR5 kit clocked at 5,600MHz, the Kerberos TUF DDR5 is almost as well-priced as the Corsair Vengence DDR5 RAM kit that I flagged recently as the best premium-value RAM on the market right now. The only downside for my overseas friends is that this RAM appears to only be available in the US at the moment, but hope springs eternal. Maybe one day.
As reviewed, the ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5 32GB (2 x 16GB) with a memory speed of 6,800MHz will set you back $149.99 (about £120 / AU$225), which is the same price as a Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 32GB kit running at just 5,200MHz, and for slightly less than the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 32GB kit at 5,200Mhz, which would cost you $159.99 (about £125/AU$235) at MSRP pricing.
ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5: Specs
Should you buy ProXMem Kerberos DDR5 RAM?
Buy it if...
You want high-performance DDR5 RAM
At 6,800MHz, this RAM is ridiculously fast, making it a great kit for content creation and gaming.
You want RAM that will look great in your case
Between the TUF alliance branding, aluminum casing, and well-done RGB, this is some seriously good-looking RAM.
Don't buy it if...
You want a single module
Sometimes, you just need that one stick of RAM. If that's the case, you're out of luck, this RAM only comes in kits of two.
You want larger module sizes
Unfotunately, 16GB RAM modules are all you're going to get here.
ProXMem Kerberos TUF DDR5: Also consider
If my ProXMem Kerberos DDR5 review has you considering different RAM kits, here are two that might better suit your needs.
How I tested ProXMem Kerberos DDR5 RAM
I spent a few days testing a ProXMem Kerberos DDR5 32GB kit in my home PC
In addition to general computing, gaming and creative use, I used professional third-party benchmark tools as well
In addition to general testing, I measured performance with PassMark and AIDA64, specifically
I used the ProXMem Kerberos DDR5 as my main gaming and content creation RAM for several days in my home PC.
In addition to gaming, I edited photos, videos, and other illustrations in Adobe Photoshop, Premeire, and Illustrator. I also tested the RAM out using Lumion 12.5 to test its creative chops on CAD-like software.
In addition to years of computer science education and training, I have been a hardware reviewer for a number of years now, so I know how memory is supposed to perform at this level.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
I’m delighted to say that the GameSir T4 Kaleid was a pleasant surprise. It’s certainly an eye-catching gamepad with its see-through casing and lovely RGB lighting, yet it stands head and shoulders above other controllers in its price bracket thanks to incredible customizability and high quality buttons and sticks.
If you’re sick of stick drift on the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, the GameSir T4 Kaleid sidesteps the issue with the use of hall effect analog sticks, much like the fantastic 8BitDo Ultimate wireless controller. That reassured longevity, and overall high quality, has the T4 Kaleid standing alongside the best Nintendo Switch controllers you can buy.
That being said, it’s unfortunately not quite the best fit for its target console. The T4 Kaleid is wired only, which isn’t a great fit for Nintendo Switch. It also doesn’t have the reversed X and Y button placement, opting instead for the more standard Xbox Series X|S layout. However, the T4 Kaleid thrives on PC when paired with the T4k app which allows you to customize button layout, assign inputs to the rear paddle buttons and, perhaps most importantly, create your own RGB pattern.
GameSir T4 Kaleid: price and availability
The GameSir T4 Kaleid is available to buy right now for $41.99 / £41.99. You can purchase it either from GameSir’s official store page, or through retailers like Amazon and AliExpress.
That places the T4 Kaleid as cheaper than the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and mid-range gamepads like the Nacon Revolution X wired controller. As such, it's certainly worth considering if you're on a tight budget.
GameSir T4 Kaleid: design
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve got a huge soft spot for controllers with translucent designs, so the GameSir T4 Kaleid was already starting to win me over when I first took it out of the box. However, the controller uses its aesthetic choice creatively. That’s because the circuit board within is gorgeously laid out, and the pair of RGB strips that wrap around either side of the controller are dazzling. It’s certainly a step up from many Pro-adjacent controllers that tend to play appearances safe with plain black or white colorways.
The fancy aesthetic wouldn’t amount to much if the controller wasn’t of a decent build quality, and thankfully the T4 Kaleid delivers here. The plastic shell is sturdy, while the sticks and face buttons feature a clicky, tactile feel. In the case of the face buttons, that’s due to the use of microswitches for a springy, crisp feeling press.
That same feeling applies to the D-pad, triggers and shoulder buttons, too. Overall, we have a rare case here of a controller delivering on almost all fronts. You really have to nitpick to identify design issues with the T4 Kaleid when it comes to its buttons. But if I had to, I’d say the placement of the Start and Select buttons are a little higher up the controller than I’m used to.
Additionally, this is the one of the few cases where I lament the fact that the controller is wired only. I feel that wired pads aren’t a good fit for Nintendo Switch. There’s no outward facing USB port on either the Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED, so the use of a wired controller here can be cumbersome. Plus, the T4 Kaleid isn’t compatible with Xbox Series X|S despite bearing the Xbox button layout. I still highly recommend it as a PC-first controller, however.
GameSir T4 Kaleid: performance
(Image credit: Future)
The GameSir T4 Kaleid is a surprisingly feature-rich controller for its relatively low asking price. And that’s not just because of its cool design and RGB lighting. There’s also a pair of mappable back buttons that can be assigned via the T4k desktop app.
This is another reason why I recommend the T4 Kaleid if you play on PC. The T4k app is incredibly robust and lets you tweak everything from the RGB pattern to button assignments and more.
One feature you might not know the T4 Kaleid has is a hair trigger mode. It’s not immediately apparent as there’s no on-board switches like with the HyperX Clutch Gladiate or the Xbox Elite Series 2. However, the mode can be toggled within the app and allows you to activate trigger inputs with just a short press. A bit of a roundabout way of doing things, but it’s likely a way for GameSir to save on components and keep costs down. A pretty smart move, overall.
Customization with the app leads the T4 Kaleid to be a fantastic controller for gaming. As mentioned, those hall effect analog sticks and microswitch-powered face buttons make for a sturdy controller that’ll resist much wear and tear over the years. The dual rumble motors also provide a strong layer of immersion, and can also be customized in the app.
It’s a fantastic controller for when fast button presses matter. Take online shooters like Fortniteor Halo Infinite, where quick reflexes and quicker button presses can be paramount to success. Or even platformers like Mega Man 11 and Super Mario Odysseywhere precision is often key.
Should I buy the GameSir T4 Kaleid?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You’re after an affordable controller for PC The T4 Kaleid excels as a PC pad thanks to its companion app and sturdy build quality
You’re on a budget Simply put, the T4 Kaleid won’t break the bank. In fact, it’s a bargain price for the features you’re getting.
You love customizability Between its RGB lighting and fully mappable controls, the T4 Kaleid is perfect for players who like a layout to call their own.
Don't buy it if...
You’re after a wireless controller The T4 Kaleid’s biggest drawback is its lack of wireless functionality. If it had that, we could be looking at a near-perfect pad.
You need a Nintendo Switch controller The T4 Kaleid isn’t a great fit for Nintendo Switch, thanks to its wired-only nature and the X and Y buttons following the Xbox controller placements.
Lenovo continues to release budget gaming machines, including the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD), for those who want the best PC games while keeping to a reasonable budget. This particular gaming PC features both an AMD CPU and GPU to keep costs down while still offering reliable performance.
This is a no-frills budget gaming PC through and through - among the best budget gaming PCs - so don’t expect a gorgeous chassis or stunning RGB lighting decorating the inside of the case. Despite having a glass panel that lets you peer inside to see all the components, the only way to actually tell if your PC is turned on is through the fan. On the plus side, the case is small and lightweight enough that you can carry it around with relative ease. It weighs about 30 pounds, much lighter than most PCs.
Its port selection is quite good as well, offering everything you could need including several Type-A USB ports, a Type-C USB port, an ethernet port, both HDMI and DVI support, an audio jack, a headphone jack, and a microphone jack. My only complaint is that there should be more Type-C ports. The audio itself is quite good, with a sound quality that doesn’t degrade too much as the volume increases, though you’ll most likely want to use a headset instead.
Performance-wise it’s rather impressive for the kind of CPU and GPU it’s equipped with. Benchmark scores are average, especially compared to other PCs on the market, but reflect the best gaming PC that delivers the kind of gaming experience you’d expect from a budget machine. While you can’t run games like Cyberpunk 2077 on anything higher than low settings (as at best you’ll get 47 fps) or Dirt 5 higher than medium if you want to race a little over 60 fps, it still runs any PC game you have quite smoothly as long as the settings are right.
Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD): Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
How much does it cost? $664.99 / £538 / AU$994
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US
The Legion Tower 5 Gen 6, particularly the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G CPU version, is a budget gaming PC through and through. It’s currently priced at $664.99 / £538 / AU$994 through a sale on the Lenovo online store, which sits it right at the low-end market of machines. The AMD version’s original pricing at $989.99 is reasonable enough, but the sale price is practically a steal.
Meanwhile, there’s an improved version with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, as well as more memory and storage. It’s a price jump of about $300 but a solid option if you want to future-proof your PC, and thanks to the sale price, it’s still below $1,000.
Both versions are currently available in the US, though other regions like the UK and Australia were left high and dry in terms of availability. Judging from the pages for the latter two, models in the UK might go back in stock at some point while ones in Australia are permanently unavailable.
Price score: 5 / 5
Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD): Specs
(Image credit: Future)
The Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) comes in two configurations, one with an AMD GPU and the other with an Nvidia GPU.
The one sent to me was: an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G CPU, Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB GDDR6 GPU, 8GB DDR4 of RAM, and 512GB SSD PCIe Gen4 of storage. The other configuration was an AMD Ryzen 7 5800 CPU, RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB DDR4 of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
Unfortunately, neither one of these models can be customized, which most likely is what keeps the price down as improved specs often spike the total.
Specs score: 4 / 5
Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD): Design
(Image credit: Future)
Simple and bland design
Small and weighs less than most PCs
The Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD)’s design is a slightly mixed bag. On one hand, it’s efficient at not taking up unnecessary space and very lightweight for a gaming PC. I was easily able to carry it around my office, it was so light. On the other hand, it’s a plain black color with no interesting chassis shape and has a glass side panel with no RGB lighting to see inside, though I realize RGB is purely aesthetic, it’s a handy way to see whether your PC is turned on and I miss the feature. It’s a boring yet practical design and while it may be a little disappointing, your wallet with thank you.
(Image credit: Future)
It does have a nicely varied port selection that includes four USB Type-A 3.2, two USB Type-A 2.0, one USB Type-C, one headphone jack, one microphone jack, one audio jack, one RJ45, one ethernet port, one HDMI port, and one DVI port. Though it could have used another Type-C USB instead of so many Type-As, especially since wireless accessories tend to support the latter.
The ventilation system, despite the PC being so small, is quite good and never overheated once even during extensive gaming and benchmark testing. No fancy liquid cooling system, but the fans do the trick, and well too. Surprising enough, this PC has its own audio built in, Dolby Atmos Gaming Effect 5.1 Channel Surround Sound to be specific. Its audio quality is pretty solid with a nice well-rounded sound that doesn’t lose too much as the volume goes up, though most gamers will want to use their own headset anyway.
Design score: 4 / 5
Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD): Performance
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Solid but not exceptional performance
Can be used as a productivity machine
Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD): Benchmarks
Here's how the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 39,529; Fire Strike: 13,699; Time Spy: 5,121 Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 10,423 GeekBench 5.5: 1,433 (single-core); 6,126 (multi-core)
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 48 fps; (1080p, Low): 89 fps Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 23 fps; (1080p, Low): 47 fps Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 16 fps; (1080p, Low): 171 fps PC Mark 10 (Home Test): 6,779 Handbrake 1.6: 9.2
Performance-wise, the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) sits comfortably between the likes of the Acer Predator Orion 3000 and the MSI Trident 3 10th, with the former at the higher end and the latter the lower end. This is a consistent PC that delivers the kind of performance that you would expect from a budget machine.
Benchmark scores-wise, the Legion Tower 5 blows past the Trident 3 10th, scoring at some points nearly double of its competitor. However, the Predator Orion 3000 is this, with test scores far higher than Lenovo’s offerings. The positive is that the AMD model of the Legion is almost half the price as well, so if you’re willing to sacrifice on specs a bit, then it’s the better budget option by far.
With heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it struggles to even approach 50 fps on average on the lowest setting, though it does manage that same framerate with Total War: Warhammer III on Ultra. And Dirt 5 can be played on Medium settings and hit over 60 fps consistently, though the lack of VRAM could be a problem. With many other PC games that are much less taxing, the Tower 5 runs perfectly well.
It also makes for a great productivity machine, as the 12th Gen CPU can handle plenty of work-related tasks with ease, as well as conference calls. But I wouldn’t bank on it handling any creative or editing projects with the below-average benchmark scores it received on that front.
If you want to play through your full PC game library on Steam without emptying your wallet, you have no problems compromising on settings, and you also want a reliable work machine, then this is a pretty solid budget PC to invest in.
Performance score:3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD)?
Buy it if...
You need a budget gaming PC
This is a great budget machine that will easily play most PC games well and can even handle plenty of high-end titles as long as you’re willing to adjust the settings a bit.
You want a solid port selection
This PC comes with tons of ports that most gamers and buyers in general, including tons of USB Type-A ones if you’re in need, and even has both HDMI and DVI support.
You want a smaller PC
This PC has a smaller form factor than most, which comes in handy for nearly any desk space both at home and at work.
Don't buy it if...
You want a gorgeous PC
This is a pretty standard-looking PC, barring the single glass side panel, so no wowing your guests with a beautiful RGB setup unless you do it yourself.
Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD): Also consider
If the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) has you considering other options, here are two more gaming PCs to consider...
How I tested the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD)
I tested the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) for several weeks
I tested it using both benchmark tests and video game benchmarks
I stress-tested the PC with productivity and creative testing
First, I tested the general weight of the Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) by lifting it up and around my apartment. After I set it up, I ran several benchmarks to test out both the processor and graphics card, as well as in-game gameplay performance. Finally, I stress-tested it out using titles like Dirt 5 and Cyberpunk 2077 in various settings to see both overall performance and ventilation quality.
The Legion Tower 5 Gen 6 (AMD) is specially made as a gaming PC, which meant the brunt of my testing revolved around checking game performance and looking for any ventilation issues.
I've tested plenty of gaming PCs and laptops, making me more than qualified to understand benchmark test results and how to properly stress test machines to see how well they perform as a work machine.
Sony’s PlayStation brand has been making a huge push recently into the competitive gaming space through its Inzone line of headsets and 27-inch monitors. This includes the Sony Inzone M3, the 1080p sibling to the higher priced 4K resolution capable M9.
All of the standard gaming monitor standards within its tier group are there including HDR abilities, 1 ms pixel response time and 1000:1 contrast ratio. There’s also a respectable amount of ports for various display inputs in addition to various USB connections.
When it comes to gaming performance, PS5 owners won’t currently have a need for a 250Hz mode as most games max out at 144Hz which itself requires a game to support VVR (Variable Refresh Rate). Considering many console gamers in the competitive scene play fighting games like Street Fighter V and Dragon Ball Z Fighters or sports games like FIFA and NBA2K, having such a high refresh rate seems more empty bragging than something absolutely required of the best gaming monitor for PC gaming.
For general PS5 usage, playing first-party games like God of War: Ragnarok or The Last of Us: Part I look made for the Inzone M3. Meanwhile, though performance is on par with other gaming monitors on PC, overall image quality isn’t the best and HDR doesn’t help much either. For streamers, there’s also an Auto KVM Switch for usage of one keyboard and mouse for two devices.
The Inzone M3 stands out due to PlayStation 5-focused features such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping alongside Auto Genre Picture mode. That doesn’t even take into consideration the remarkable design that stands reasonably well next to the white and black PS5 colorway.
Owners of Sony’s current-gen console who are aspiring competitive gamers or in the esports scene while making sure they stay color-coordinated may have much to appreciate about the M3. More traditional PC gamers will definitely have better options elsewhere.
The Sony Inzone M3 shines the brightest design-wise. As mentioned previously, the black and white angular stand that holds the display up looks cool, alongside a PS5 and various accessories. Because of the stand’s design, it’s not all that intrusive and viewing adjustment is easy.
Some may have an issue with the fact that the display can’t tilt vertically but considering the PS5 focus, I can’t fault it too much. One thing's for sure, though, the Sony Inzone M3 is one of the best monitors for PS5 you can buy if you want to really create a complete setup.
(Image credit: Future)
Though the PS5 obviously requires an HDMI cable, there’s an extra one available for other consoles like an Xbox Series S or Nintendo Switch and DisplayPort. Beyond that is a USB-C, USB-B for upstreaming, three USB-A and 3.5 mm headphone jack. M3 users will most definitely need some headphones as the internal speakers suffer from a flat, hollow sound. Too bad there wasn’t a way for Sony to implement Spatial Audio, which is a huge PS5 feature.
Between the slew of accessibility options in games like The Last of Us Part 1 and the upcoming Project Leonardo, Sony has put heavy emphasis on accessibility. The same goes for the M3 as it’s easy to put together and connect things to their respective port. Weighing around 15 lbs altogether, the M3 is light before putting the neck, base and display together.
Be mindful that connecting the base to the neck does require a screwdriver which may be an issue. Most importantly, there aren’t any weight shifts once everything is connected. Once used, the power button and menu joystick are easily accessible on the back panel for adjustments. Pivoting the display for eye-level comfort works well too. Inzone M3 usage feels as simple as the minimalist design.
PS5 games were the clear focus of the Sony Inzone M3. Playing games like Resident Evil 4 remake or the slew of high-class first-party games like Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us Part I on the gaming monitor is a joy. Image quality is good but not good enough to justify the high price tag even though features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping do a great job of optimizing HDR for M3. Supporting VRR improves the visual quality of games that support it like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection.
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Then there’s Auto Genre Picture mode that changes colors alongside motion settings when switching from game to video content. Again, this does enhance PS5 experience when playing more competitive games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. As an added measure, there is a crosshair toggle which makes aiming in first-person-shooters a better experience. When it comes to motion performance, the M3 does well with screen smoothness and low input lag. Gaming on this gaming monitor feels fantastic on a PS5 or PC and will make the most use out of the 240Hz refresh rate despite some problems there.
Those issues come down to below-average image quality when using a PC. General computing usage on a 1080p gaming monitor this expensive shouldn’t be this problematic. Color settings have to be changed to even read certain text while browsing websites or checking emails. Even working with Adobe Suite led to ineffective color correction. Playing games like Forza Horizon 5 and Call of Duty Modern Warfare lacked the vividness and contrast of cheaper 1080p monitors. On a positive note, the M3 is G-Sync compatible though the lack of official FreeSync support is strange considering the PS5 is made up of AMD components. There’s also an Inzone app to fine-tune the experience through settings customization. When it comes to pure PC gaming, there are simply better options out there.
(Image credit: Future)
Sony Inzone M3: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $499 / £699 (about AU$725)
When is it available? It is available now.
Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK
Buying the Sony Inzone M3 is more of a diehard investment into the PlayStation brand. Aesthetically, it does match Sony’s current minimalistic design philosophy. During the review, the monitor sat well next to a PS5 and PSVR2. The M3 is geared more toward console gamers.
With that said PC Gamers who also own a PS5 have better options out there as the $499.99 price point is a bit much. For that amount of money, users can look into the Acer Nitro, AOC C27G2Z, and ASUS TUF Gaming VG279QM. Those options may lack PS5-leaning features or USB ports, but they’re great 27-inch HD displays that can reach 250Hz between $200 to $300.
Value: 2.5 / 5
Sony Inzone M3: Specs
Should you buy the Sony Inzone M3?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
You want an affordable 1080p 240Hz monitor PC gaming enthusiasts should know there are better options for a 27-inch 1080p monitor because $499 is a tad bit too high.
You require better image and audio quality for PC Image quality isn’t the best on the M3 when using PC and HDR doesn’t make things much better. Then there are the sub-par internal speakers as well.
You are looking to make the most out of your PS5 visuals PS5 owners more concerned with higher resolution should consider Sony’s M9 or other 4K gaming monitors available.
Sony Inzone M3: Also consider
If my Sony Inzone M3 review has you considering other options, here are two more 27-inch monitors to consider.
How I tested the Sony Inzone M3
I spent a week testing the Sony Inzone M3
PC games played include Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Forza Horizon 5.
PS5 games included Ghost of Tsushima, God of War Ragnorock and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection.
Creative apps used were Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro
Over a week of testing on PS5, many games were tested including Ghost of Tsushima, God of War Ragnorock, and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection among others. When it comes to PC games, I played Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, extensively.
I also tried more PC-focused apps including Google Chrome and Adobe Photoshop which I used to edit the photos used in this review. General computing on this gaming monitor wasn’t the most pleasant experience due to image quality but gaming was much better.
I’ve tested dozens of gaming monitors over the years and I've seen both the best gaming monitors and the worst, so I know what a good monitor should offer for the price you're paying.
The PC market sent out another disappointing quarter, worldwide shipments contracting 29% compared to last year as per the latest IDC report. Based on preliminary data, the total number of PCs sold in January-March totaled 56.9 million units which is 23.3 million units fewer than the total for Q1 2022. All of the top-five PC vendors experience double-digit declines with Apple faring the worst with a 40.5% difference between Q1 2022 and Q1 2023.
Top 5 PC companies market share in Q1 2023
Lenovo remained the global leader in total shipments at 12.7 million units and a market share...
The Glorious GMMK Pro is one of those products that can be polarizing. On one hand, I can see why a lot of people love this mechanical keyboard, but on the other, I can also understand why many from the modding community aren't too keen on both the keyboard itself – and the company behind it.
After spending a couple of weeks using it as my main keyboard for work and for gaming, I’ve really come to appreciate why it’s gotten top marks from our peers. It’s a solid choice that’s not too shabby-looking either – probably among the best keyboards out there, whether you’re looking for a gaming keyboard or a productivity one.
But, after also building it myself, I can honestly say that it’s not all rainbows and unicorns either. While all the big parts – the top case, the switches, the keycaps, even the PCB – feel robust and premium, the small bits, particularly the tiny screws that keep the whole board together, aren’t top quality.
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(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
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Some easily stripped at my first attempt to unscrew them, and one seems to have molded itself into the original switch plate that came with my barebone board, which isn’t something you want from a keyboard that’s supposed to be completely modifiable. I had to take mine to a jeweler, and even they had issues taking this pesky screw out.
On top of that, there seem to be some quality control issues as well. One of the screw holes on the polycarbonate switch plate I received for modding was too big for any of the included screws, which means that my review unit has a screw missing. And, while that doesn’t seem to have impacted performance, keyboard modders would certainly get turned off by it.
However, if Glorious manages to fix those issues, the Glorious GMMK Pro would probably be unstoppable. First of all, it makes it incredibly easy for beginner builders and modders to build their own boards from scratch, especially thanks to Glorious’ online configurator that lets you easily pick and choose all the parts you’ll need so that you can focus less on whether you’re picking the right ones and more on the building process itself.
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(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
Second of all, as I said earlier, the rest of it feels robust, and probably a lot tougher than many of the enthusiast mechanical keyboards that I spend money on monthly. And, honestly, if you care at all about aesthetics, you’ll appreciate just how gorgeous it can be, especially if you mod it to fit your own setup. Most of the parts, from the keycaps and rotary knob to the top frame and switch plate come in different colors (and sometimes, types).
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The RGB lighting, which you’ll also find at the sides for a touch of ambient lighting, is bright and vibrant, and while it is a little on the heavy side at 3.3 lbs (1.51Kg), its 75% with 82 keys layout saves you space while ensuring you’ve still got access to keys that are vital to productivity. Even the cable is removable so you can spring for a coiled one that’s more robust and better looking.
Thanks to the straightforward and effortless-to-navigate Glorious Core app, it’s not just the physical board that’s customizable. You can also change its RGB lighting to change per-key colors, switch lighting effects, and adjust brightness, as well as adjust polling rate (125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1,000Hz) and input latency (2ms, 8ms, 16ms). And, as this is a gaming keyboard, the software will also let you bind any key to another key, a combination of keys, a mouse function, a macro, or a shortcut. Yes, this has fully programmable keys. You can even create profiles and layers.
(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
An important thing to note, however, is that some users have reported bugs with their Glorious keyboards, and I noticed a few as well in the beginning. The first time I plugged it into my gaming PC, only the volume dial and RGB lighting were working. The keys themselves weren’t responsive, and I had to scour the internet for a solution. Luckily, it was simply a matter of opening the Glorious Core app and changing the current profile. I didn’t experience any other issues after.
The keys themselves are great to type on. They have more like a clacking sound, and while I’m more partial to a good thock sound, these aren’t too loud and definitely better than the annoying clicky ones. Meanwhile, the switches – I used both of Glorious’ Panda and Lynx mechanical switches – are very responsive and accurate, especially the Panda ones. And, they kept up with me, whether I was writing an article, composing email messages, or playing titles like Cyperpunk 2022, Rocket League, Hogwarts Legacy, and Kena: Bridge of Spirits.
There’s also no need to worry about latency here as it’s a wired keyboard – something that many gamers prefer over wireless options.
Glorious GMMK Pro: Price & availability
How much does it cost? From $169.99 (about £140 / AU$250)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Glorious GMMK Pro isn’t going to be cheap, especially if you’re looking to build your own kit. The prebuilt version will set you back $349.99 (about £285 / AU$525) in the US, and that’s already a little too steep for most people. Building your own if you were to mod every single part will cost you a whole lot more, with the barebone kit already setting you back $169.99 (about £140 / AU$250), which is about the same as many prebuilt keebs from other enthusiast keyboard brands.
My own kit cost $169.99 for the barebone kit plus a $19.99 polycarbonate switch plate, $34.99 Glorious Lynx switches, $34.99 Glorious Pandas, $49.99 pastel PBT keycaps, a $59.99 aqua blue top frame, a $9.99 aqua blue rotary knob, and a $49.99 electric blue coiled cable. I also got a $7.99 switch puller as well. That’s a lot of money for many beginner modders to spend.
If you can afford it, however, you’ll be pleased to know that Glorious ships to the UK and Australia.
Value: 3 / 5
Glorious GMMK Pro: Specs
(Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy)
Should you buy the Glorious GMMK Pro?
Buy it if...
You want to build your own keyboard for the first time It’s not for the budget-minded, but the Glorious GMMK Pro is still an easy and convenient way to start your keyboard building journey.
You want a highly-customizable keyboard kit Despite the low-quality screws and the occasional quality control issue, this is one highly-customizable keyboard and great for those who love modding.
Don't buy it if...
You are an experienced keyboard builder or modder You’ll find more affordable parts elsewhere if you are experienced and know where to get the ones.
You are on a budget If you’re strapped for cash, this isn’t the most appealing or wise option. You’re better off doing your research or asking the modding community where to get the best bits.
Glorious GMMK Pro: Also consider
How I tested the Glorious GMMK Pro
I spent half a day building this then a couple of weeks testing it
I tested it for work and for gaming
I used it on my work applications as well as different PC games
Because I got the keyboard-building kit version, I spent some time building the actual keyboard before getting around to testing it. After it was built, I tested it for two weeks, using it as my main keyboard for productivity and play.
I used it for composing work emails, writing work documents and articles, and playing PC games like Cyperpunk 2022, Rocket League, Hogwarts Legacy, and Kena: Bridge of Spirits.
A self-professed keyboard enthusiast with a modest but expanding mechanical keyboard collection, I've also been testing and reviewing keyboards for gaming, productivity, and creative work for years. While this is my first time building a keyboard from scratch, I have been modding my own keebs since 2022.
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